The news that this year’s International Forklift Operator of the Year awards saw a greater number of female operators reach the final than ever before, as well as the youngest ever entrants at just 18 years old, indicates that the logistics and supply chain industry is coming to embrace diversity to a much greater extent than was once the case.

According to Laura Nelson, Managing Director of workplace transport training regulatory body RTITB, while about a twelfth of the UK population are said to be working in logistics, “only a small proportion of these are women and young people.”

With HGV drivers still largely male and aged 51 on average, Nelson has warned that “attracting young people and women into the logistics industry is critical as they approach retirement.” This is an objective that we are proud to share here at Bis Henderson Academy, with our logistics apprenticeships playing an instrumental role in the training-up of the new generation of HGV drivers and supply chain managers in readiness for rewarding logistics careers.

The vital importance of encouraging women and young people

Not only it is crucial for the logistics and supply chain sector to encourage more women and young people, there is also little doubt about the very real benefits to them. The industry is a highly diverse and exciting one, with plentiful opportunities for drivers, planners, accountants, warehouse operators and managers.

Indeed, Laura has observed that “the industry will need in excess of 450,000 new people over the next five years, giving young people and women some amazing opportunities.” Meanwhile, the UK organisation Women in Logistics has emphasised to female job-hunters that the logistics industry offers an incredible 10 times as many jobs as the health and beauty sector.

Laura added: “There are over two million jobs in logistics which we believe have largely been overlooked by women and young people.”

Make your first step into logistics with the Bis Henderson Academy

Here at the Bis Henderson Academy, we are delighted to be playing a key role in the changing mix of people – in terms of both age and gender – that are entering the logistics and supply chain industry.

Feel free to contact our team today to discuss the many opportunities and rewards that could await you in this enthralling, ever-changing and vitally important sector, as we can assist with through our provision of the most renowned logistics apprenticeships.